2023 Legislative Overview: Progress made for early childhood issues
The first session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die on June 1. The volume of legislation hit near-historic highs with more than 800 measures introduced amid controversial topics, sparking month-long procedural delays and divisive debate. Despite these challenges, the Legislature passed a $10.7 billion biennium budget that kept existing early childhood funding lines intact, implemented tax relief measures and increased investments in education.
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Key themes this session focused on improving maternal health outcomes, alleviating financial pressures on parents and child care providers and strengthening availability and access to child care. We commend lawmakers on passage of LB227, which expands Medicaid postpartum coverage to one year, leverages maternal morbidity data and extends family income eligibility requirements for the child care subsidy to 2026. We also thank members of the Legislature for supporting LB754. This tax reform bill incorporates a historic child care tax credit package that will benefit families with children in care, child care professionals and programs. It will also encourage private sector contributions to help build local child care infrastructure, especially in communities facing significant economic challenges.
Legislation addressing home visiting, child care expansion grants, early childhood workforce development and child abuse complaint tracking that did not advance this year will carry over to the 2024 session.
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Upcoming 2023 Interim Studies |
First Five Nebraska worked closely with several senators to introduce legislative resolutions for four upcoming interim studies:
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LR151 (Senator Wendy DeBoer, District 10) Examine the results of the Nebraska Child Care Cost Model developed through the Preschool Development Grant.
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LR154 (Senator Jen Day, District 49) Examine Nebraska’s maternal care deserts.
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LR191 (Senator Teresa Ibach, District 44) Examine the process for conducting the statutorily required fingerprint-based national criminal history record information check for the child care workforce.
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LR251 (Senator Robert Dover, District 19) Explore the development of registered apprenticeship program sponsors within Nebraska’s education system for early childhood care and education.
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Apply for the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy through June 30
Time is running out to submit your application for the 2023-24 Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy. We're seeking candidates from business and economic development, health care, early childhood programs, K-12 and higher education and other community representatives across the state to become effective change leaders for Nebraska children, families and communities. The 2023-24 program kicks off in October.
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Congratulations to FFN Data and Research Advisor Dr. Katie Bass, who was selected for the Leadership Nebraska Class XV, a program of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Katie will join colleagues from across the state to develop and hone leadership skills and gain a broader understanding of issues facing Nebraska. |
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Business & Economic Development Updates |
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FFN's Feeken in Phelps County
Mike Feeken, FFN strategic partnerships advisor, spoke to the Holdrege Rotary Club earlier this month about how early child education impacts the current and future workforce. He presented Phelps County Data showing the current child care landscape and how it is affecting communities in their area.
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Pillen names Belitz as NDED Director
K.C. Belitz was named director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. In his role as COO of the Nebraska Community Foundation and president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Belitz has long championed the role of early childhood issues as central to the state's economic future. “Early learning is imperative if we are to keep today’s jobs here, let alone grow our economy.”
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Strolling Thunder 2023: Encouraging Congress to "Think Babies"
Angela Johnson, Healthy Families America program coordinator at Public Health Solutions, and her daughter, Mae, represented Nebraska for Strolling Thunder 2023, an annual advocacy event coordinated by Zero to Three. Angela and Mae joined families from all 50 states to meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to discuss policies for the future of families and babies in America.
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Lecture series on child welfare to focus on infants and toddlers |
The Court Improvement Project is hosting a series of lectures across the state to educate stakeholders on issues concerning babies and toddlers in the child welfare system. Presentations will address infant and young child mental health, interventions for young children with disabilities and more.
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June Early Childhood Champions announced
Congratulations to Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative's June Early Childhood Champions, Alicia Lopez and Elysia Beck. Alicia is the owner of Alicia Lopez Child Care in Columbus, with over 20 years experience as a child care provider. Elysia Beck, director of Harrison Village Childcare in Omaha, has worked in child care for over 15 years.
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